Space Center from WDW and back - Take 1 day or 2?

[Wes]

We will be staying on-site at WDW wut would like to make a non-exhausting trip over to the Space Center and then return to WDW.

The first question is how long the drive takes. It looks like about 2 hours driving time each way.

The second question is whether or not you can really do this trip in just one day, to properly see the Space Center -- tour, IMax, Museum, what else -- and not to get exhausted. Can we do it as a day trip, or should we just pay for a room somewhere near the Space Center (Titusville??) so we can stay at the Space Center til closing and then come back to WDW the next day?

Also, in the Fall, is any one or several days of the week less crowded at the Space Center than others? Seems like Tu-We-Th would be fewest, but is this true?

 

[Pat Marlton NJ]

It takes approx 1 hour and 15 minutes to the Space Center from WDW. It can be done in one day, but it will be more relaxing to stay over night. Cocoa Beach is a nice area to stay in and you can get a good meal and enjoy the beach. One thing, fill up on gas before you go there are no gas stations between MCO and Cocoa!

 

[Wes]

MCO is a new one on me. What does it mean?

Is that the Orlando Airport? If so, where do M and C come from -- assuming the O is Orlando and not Orange or something else?

 

[TSI_Fan]

You could do it in a day, but why rush it? Titusville is very nice, Cocoa Beach is very nice, Daytona is very touristy..er..nice. Orlando is approximately the half-way point in central florida, so it would take at least an hour to get to Kennedy Space Center.

 

[deena]

I read on the official Orlando International Airport site at www.state.fl.us/goaa/ that the term "MCO" was coined after the former McCoy Airforce base that use to be housed on the same grounds where the current airport is now located.

The McCoy Airforce base was named after Colonel Michael N.W. McCoy so that is how the modern airport derived at its' name. You can read more about it at the website; there is a lot of interesting information that goes into more indepth detail.

It is found under the heading "Facts and Figures" on the front page and inside the link titled 'Did You Know?'

 

[Wes]

Thanks to all for the information thus far. Please add more if you think of anything else.

And thanks, deena. The answer led to the obvious next question: who was Col. McCoy and why honor him? The answer is on http://pirs.mvr.usace.army.mil/fuds/m-p/pinecstl/oe/asr/findings/sec5.htm:

Pinecastle Army Airfield, also known as Orlando Army Air Field Number Two, started as an auxiliary field for Orlando Army Airfield in 1942. ... After World War it was called Pinecastle Air Force Base. The base was deactivated in 1946, then reactivated in 1952 under the Air Training Command. The base was renamed McCoy Air Force Base on 7 May 1958 in honor of the base commander, Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, who lost his life in a competition at the base in November 1957.

 

[Georgia Mickey Fans]

Be advised that you now must pay an admission price just to enter KSC, $25 adults & $15 kids.

Just a few years ago you could walk next to rockets, walk through the space shuttle, see a moon rock for free, with the option of paying for a bus tour or Imax movie. Now a family of 4 has to spend about $80.

I have just contacted the PR dept of the company that is managing KSC concerning my extreme displeasure with this news. http://www.delawarenorth.com/listOut.cgi?company=parkserv

Whatever you choose, you can easily do it in one day and go back to your Orlando hotel that evening where stays are generally less expensive.